SILVER2022

BREAKING FREE THERAPEUTIC RIDING CENTER INC

Experience the healing power of the horse

Norwich, OH   |  www.breakingfreeriding.org

Mission

Our mission is to empower individuals with diverse challenges through unique equine assisted therapeutic experiences.

Ruling year info

2012

Executive Director

Mrs. Linda Lake

Assistant Director

Megan Shaw

Main address

2781 N Moose Eye Rd

Norwich, OH 43767 USA

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EIN

32-0239587

NTEE code info

Health - General and Rehabilitative N.E.C. (E99)

Diseases, Disorders, Medical Disciplines N.E.C. (G99)

Developmentally Disabled Services/Centers (P82)

IRS filing requirement

This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.

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Programs and results

What we aim to solve

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Our programs

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?

Therapeutic Riding

Our therapeutic riding lessons help improve individual's physical, psychological and cognitive abilities. The horse is a means of exercise, as well as a warm and friendly companion.

Population(s) Served
People with disabilities

Breaking Free's Horses for Heroes mission is to partner with veterans and community organizations to provide an equestrian therapeutic environment to support and strengthen veterans' physical, emotional and psychological well being so they may lead independent, healthy and dignified lives.

Population(s) Served
Veterans
Adults

The Family Enrichment course is for families that care for children in foster care. During their lesson, family members discuss topics that promote communication, understanding, trust and boundaries. Then participants practice these skills with their equine partner who provides real-time and honest feedback

Population(s) Served
Families
At-risk youth

Where we work

Our Sustainable Development Goals

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

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Goals & Strategy

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.

Charting impact

Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.

Children with disabilities benefit from the motor, sensory, and emotional aspects of being on a horse. Children in our program participate in activities such as grooming the horse, petting and touching experiences, leading, and riding activities. While riding, horse therapy provides opportunities for engagement in following directions and for practicing cognitive concepts. To meet this goal, children are asked to follow a given direction, to listen and respond to requests, and to cue their horse to go or whoa. Academic goals may include naming and finding colors or shapes around the arena, identifying pictures or objects while riding, recognizing environmental print, and counting balls or beanbags when throwing them into a bucket. Horseback riding helps with coordination, strength and muscle tone, and helps the child to develop balance and motor control. Students participate in gross motor activities such as throwing balls or beanbags into a bucket or hoop, reaching for objects, and stretching. They are also asked to strengthen fine motor skills as they grasp smaller objects as they ride around the ring, and manipulate items such as clothes pins. Children with autism are especially helped by the sensory benefits provided by being on a horse. The touch of the horse's fur, the sounds and smells of the horse and the excitement of being on a horse allow students additional motivation to cooperate with therapy goals.

Each Lesson incorporates the educational, physical, social and recreational goals of each individual student. The 45-minute therapeutic riding lessons include mounting, warm-up time, an exercise, an activity or game, skill development, skill review, a closing activity and dismounting. Group lessons have 3-4 students per class. Lessons will include some unmounted time devoted to expanding horsemanship skills. Students may groom, saddle, or perform other appropriate activities that develop horsemanship skills. Continual participation in the program is suggested for maximum therapeutic benefits

Breaking Free earned a Premier Accredited Center Member certification in October 2013 through Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship Intl. We have been a PATH Center Member and followed their safety and program guidelines since 2009 when we began.

PATH is an international governing body that sets standards for equine therapy and equine facilitated learning for centers who provide services for the disabled. PATH Int. has been a leader in equine therapy since 1969.

Our instructors are PATH Registered Instructors who must complete training and testing to become registered. They also complete continuing education hours annually. PATH's training standards insure our instructors are highly trained and follow strict guidelines for the safety of our participants, volunteers and equine.

In May 2015 Breaking Free began a new "Horses for Heroes" program to serve Veterans in their area. Breaking Free's Horses for Heroes program is open to all eligible US Veterans who are interested in working with or around horses or in a farm and barn atmosphere. This program has been many years in the planning and we are excited to have it up and running.

Our wish is to offer therapeutic riding sessions year round. We have started raising funds so we can hopefully fulfill our dream of building an indoor arena in the near future.

How we listen

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.

done We demonstrated a willingness to learn more by reviewing resources about feedback practice.
done We shared information about our current feedback practices.
  • How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?

    To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve

  • What significant change resulted from feedback?

    Volunteers stressed what was working and not working in our Volunteer training. We listened and made changes to training program. We have almost 100% positive feedback now.

  • Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?

  • What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?

    It is difficult to find the ongoing funding to support feedback collection, It is hard to come up with good questions to ask people

Financials

BREAKING FREE THERAPEUTIC RIDING CENTER INC
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Operations

The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.

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Connect with nonprofit leaders

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BREAKING FREE THERAPEUTIC RIDING CENTER INC

Board of directors
as of 02/08/2022
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
Board chair

Linda Lake

Kathy McCleland

Karen McQuain

Amanda Huber

Reanna Sagle

Randi Bates

Linda Lake

Breaking Free Therapeutic Riding inc.

Megan Shaw

Breaking Free Therapeutic Riding inc.

Bryan Lake

Breaking Free Therapeutic Riding inc.